"Mr. Oftedal holds a position that many a minister could envy. In ten years he has driven it to become one of Norway's notables, - and that in ten eventful years, in which greater figures than his have fallen without being remembered any more, and greater abilities and powers than his have fought without winning."

"The first thing that strikes a travel-weary stranger and makes him dizzy in America is, of course, the great noise, the restlessness, the bustling life in the streets, the restless, daring haste with which everything is carried on. If he lands in New York in the summer, he will also be a little surprised to see gentlemen without coats, without waistcoats, with only their suspenders over their shirts, taking a stroll through the streets with their silk-clad lady under their arm. It immediately makes a strange impression, a free impression; there is speed in the black etiquette."

"Facing south, on the right was a long, steep, mighty hill. Behind this were blue mountains. On the left a bare cliff; many waterfalls descending. The forest was in full leaf; it sent a good smell with the wind to all sides, and reminded one of life in a leafy hall."

"A hut - it stood, as if in thought - / was walled to the wall of the mountain side; / it stood there, where the predator wanders / took a blow from an ancient hedge. / When the storm picked up speed up to the rift, / the owner of the stone hut was not happy; / then he took the holy scriptures - / and then knelt down and worshipped.

"Near a small forest-fringed hill, at the foot of which a small stream wound through the beautiful meadow, lay a magnificent farmhouse. It belonged to the village's richest man, Ole Aae."